The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking industry input on an environmental assessment for importing plants in approved growing media into the U.S.

The federal regulation covers imports of live plants and pretty much any type of plant propagative material.

On May 2, 2017, USDA-APHIS was informed that an orange petunia variety was potentially genetically engineered and had been imported and moved interstate without required authorization by APHIS. This led to testing of numerous petunia varieties, which confirmed this particular variety and several others are genetically engineered, and meet the regulatory definition of a regulated article under APHIS regulations. APHIS continues to work with the industry to ensure unauthorized GE petunias are not distributed in the United States.

AmericanHort’s key role interfacing with the USDA on the recall of genetically modified petunias has helped the horticulture industry rapidly address the problem. Senior Vice President Craig Regelbrugge talks about recent updates, the impact on the industry, and where it goes from here.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has allocated millions in funding to research plant pests such as boxwood blight, downy mildew, and phytophthora.